BIONIC PROSTHETIC
A bionic eye sounds like science fiction, but
a 3D printer created this prototype in an hour,
bringing the promise of a seeing prosthetic
that much closer to reality. —MORE ON PAGE 28
THE FUTURE
OF MEDICINE
The Truth
About Maternal
Mortality
P. 122
The Secrets
of Chinese
Medicine
P. 96
Every Body
Is Unique
P. 42
The Immortal
Corpse
P. 68
At the vanguard of human
health, scientists tweak genes
to create precision medicine,
and a body donated to science
becomes a holographic
virtual cadaver. Meanwhile
a new generation embraces
ancient Chinese remedies—
and the United States
posts one of the developed
world’s highest rates of
pregnancy-related deaths.
Where does all this lead?
24 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC